Man charged with assault incident

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

A Schuylkill County man was charged with assault counts for an incident in which he accused the victim of having a relationship with his wife. State police at Frackville said the incident occurred on Oct. 11 about 3:15 a.m. and following an investigation an arrest was made on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Charged was Robert Joseph Rulavage, 37, of New Philadelphia. He was charged with aggravated and simple assault, burglary and criminal mischief. He was arraigned before duty District Judge James Reiley, of Pottsville, and released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

Troopers gave the following account of what happend. At the time and date stated Rulavage went to the residence of Anthony Joseph Burke, 38, of 127 Furnance Rd., Blythe Township, New Philadelphia, after the suspect allegedly heard of a ongoing relationship between the victim and his wife. Rulavage received information that his wife was with Burke at the victim's home.

Troopers said Rulavage arrived at Burke's home in a jealous rage and entered through a unsecured entry point. Rulavage observed his wife and Burke together on a sofa and proceeded to strike the victim multiple times before exiting the home with his wife. Burke then went outside to the porch area a short time later only to find Rulavage waiting for him.

Rulavage again began to strike Burke with his wife yelling to stop and while the victim was begging him to stop, troopers said. Finally, after one last punch to the forehead and a solid kick to the midsection, Burke flew off his porch and onto the ground.

Burke was flown by Medevac helicopter to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, for treatment of rib injuries, troopers reported.